Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 November 2003

79 articles found

Old crime, new crisis

Old crime, new crisisJP/6/E05authoritarian former Indonesian president Soeharto, why has one military massacre of Muslim civilians been singled out for accountability, almost two decades after the fact? The answer is as much entwined in the present day threat posed by extremist Islam - and its...

Traffic in Jakarta

Traffic in Jakarta During the last few months road traffic in Jakarta has been going from bad to worse; with the arrival of the rainy season it has been further worsened. It takes a lot of energy, patience and utmost use of your logic and math skills to reach your destination a bit earlier than...

Full gas supply to Singapore hoped to resume soon

Full gas supply to Singapore hoped to resume soonSandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The full supply of natural gas from West Natuna to Singapore is likely to resume on Tuesday after a halt since early last week due to a two-inch leak in the 650-kilometer gas pipeline located 80 meters...

Newspapers 'disappear' in Manado

Newspapers 'disappear' in Manado MANADO, North Sulawesi: Newspapers were hardly seen in Manado on Thursday, as people were still celebrating the Idul Fitri holiday.Shops and newsstands were mostly closed, while newspaper deliverers were a rarity, too.

Bekasi rejects no-skill migrants

Bekasi rejects no-skill migrants BEKASI: Bekasi deputy mayor Mochtar Mohamad asked residents on Thursday not to bring relatives or friends back from their villages to live in the municipality, especially unskilled job- seekers.

Dump sites poison residents

Dump sites poison residents BEKASI: Residents living near a dump for Jakarta's waste are drinking water contaminated with sewage, potentially deadly poisons and heavy metals, a non-governmental organization revealed Thursday.

KPU seeks speedy customs process

KPU seeks speedy customs process JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance asking the latter to speed up the customs and tax office's checking process on imported computers for next year's elections.

Jakarta traffic

Jakarta trafficStreets and area often used for illegal track races:Jl. Asia Afrika, South JakartaJl. Panjang, Kebon Jeruk, West JakartaJl. Benyamin Sueb, Kemayoran, Central JakartaPangkalan Jati, Pondok GedeJl. Basuki Rahmat, East JakartaJl. Gajah Mada, West JakartaJl.

Country Profile : Finland

Country Profile : Finland Publication date: December 6 Approval Date: December 3 Message from the Ambassador of FinlandFinland and Indonesia are very different countries and far away from each other, but they also have a few things in common.

Vietnam to issue new notes, coins starting Dec. 17

Vietnam to issue new notes, coins starting Dec. 17 Associated Press Hanoi, Vietnam Vietnam will issue two new notes and three new coins from Dec. 17, including its highest ever denomination note worth 500,000 dong (US$32), Central Bank Governor Le Duc Thuy said on Thursday.

[b]

U.S. orders, confidence data show growth on rise Brussels mulls legal action as pact's future questioned Philippine economy expands 4.4% in Q3

Community health

Community health From Republika The government has declared the national health vision under the name of "Indonesia Sehat 2010" (Healthy Indonesia 2010) but this will remain just a hope, a reason why Health Minister Ahmad Sujudi has said it will be very difficult to empower the community in the...

More than 200 km of drainage in Bandung badly damaged

More than 200 km of drainage in Bandung badly damagedYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java Bandung is a favored destination, especially for short holiday trips from the capital, but the poor state of its drainage, which causes traffic congestion, will increasingly put visitors off,...

Garuda profit may drop by 80% this year: CEO

Garuda profit may drop by 80% this year: CEORendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Profits for Garuda Indonesia, the country's national airline, may plunge by 80 percent this year due to a sharp downturn in business amid various uncertainties plaguing the industry, a senior official said.

How messed up is Jakarta's traffic?

How messed up is Jakarta's traffic?Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta People often assume that if traffic is congested less accidents will occur, as the slower flow of vehicles will restrain reckless drivers.

Communal clash broke out in Sawahlunto

Communal clash broke out in SawahluntoThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dozens of community leaders from the West Sumatra regency of Sawahlunto Sijunjung agreed on Thursday to resolve differences after clashes involving villagers from two districts.

JP/17/TRAFFIC

JP/17/TRAFFIC Understanding the causes of Jakarta traffic jams To understand traffic problems thoroughly is the first step toward an attempt to solve this royal mess, right? Here are several corroborating fact(or)s, which contribute to the horrendous traffic conditions in the city.1.

Traditional markets quiet during long holiday

Traditional markets quiet during long holidayLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The littered and muddy streets in traditional markets do not see the usual lively bargaining between sellers and buyers these days, as most people are still on holiday in their hometowns.

An Idul Fitri anomaly

An Idul Fitri anomaly The most celebrated of Islamic holidays, Idul Fitri, is sometimes accompanied by unwanted problems. It is in such a blissful time, when people are earnestly forgiving one other, that crime actually reaches its peak.

* Headlines: Thousands more in Jakarta to be evicted 2

* Headlines: Thousands more in Jakarta to be evicted 2 * National:Top Aceh leader surrenders to military 5 * Archipelago:Communal clash breaks out in Sawahlunto 4 * Opinion:Rebirth of Constitution without legitimacy 6 * City: Food courts, game centers still crowded 8 * Sports: Milan leads parade...

Philippine economy expands 4.4% in Q3

Philippine economy expands 4.4% in Q3Associated Press, Manila The Philippine economy grew by 4.4 percent on year during the third quarter of 2003, outperforming Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Thursday.Gross national product rose by 5.

The politics of religious pluralism

The politics of religious pluralismMuhamad Ali, Lecturer, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN), Jakarta, muhamad@hawaii.edu Religion has become part of not only private but also public life in Indonesia as elsewhere.

Traditional markets quiet due to long holiday

Traditional markets quiet due to long holidayLeony Aurora The Jakarta Post JakartaThe littered and muddy streets in traditional markets do not see the usual lively bargaining between sellers and buyers these days, as most people are still on holiday in their hometowns.

'Without a long holiday I won't have a vacation'

'Without a long holiday I won't have a vacation' The government extended the official Idul Fitri holiday this year until the end of the month, a policy imposed not only by the city administration and state institutions but also by private companies.

Understanding the causes of Jakarta traffic congestions

Understanding the causes of Jakarta traffic congestions To understand traffic problems thoroughly is the first step toward an attempt to solve this royal mess, right? Here are several corroborating fact(or)s, which contribute to the horrendous traffic conditions in the city.1.

Plan to sign UN anticorruption pact applauded

Plan to sign UN anticorruption pact applaudedMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An observer has welcomed the government's plan to sign the United Nations Convention against Corruption, saying that only with a strong commitment to implementing the pact will it possible to...

ASEAN power grid master plan to be ready soon

ASEAN power grid master plan to be ready soonDow Jones, Bangkok A master plan for the power grid interconnection among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is expected to be finalized in January, a senior Thai electricity official said late on Wednesday.

Jakarta holidaymakers trickle back slowly

Jakarta holidaymakers trickle back slowlyTony Hotland The Jakarta Post JakartaTias, 42, dragged his luggage, some bags and a few cardboard boxes, toward the front of the Senen railway station, East Jakarta.

1. EVICTION: 48 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. EVICTION: 48 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 City gears up to make more Jakartans homeless again 2. EDU: 36 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 21 'Education, another means to eradicate corruption' 3. VISA: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 25 Govt delays implementation of new visa policy again 4.

Motorcycle sales projected to jump by 14% next year

Motorcycle sales projected to jump by 14% next yearSandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Political stability, low inflation, higher economic growth, and plenty of consumer loans from banks are expected to drive up motorcycle sales next year, the Association of Indonesian Motorcycle Industry...

1. LALIN -- 1 x 35

1. LALIN -- 1 x 35 How messed up is Jakarta's traffic? 2. TRAF -- 2 x 27 Understanding the causes of Jakarta traffic jams 3. POL2 -- 2 x 21 Police lay down the law to promote public discipline

Rebirth of Constitution without legitimacy

Rebirth of Constitution without legitimacyDenny Indrayana, Lecturer, Constitutional Law, University of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta When a constitution lacks legitimacy, it is but a worthless document. Legitimacy must be present in the drafting of every constitution.

Most KPUDs fail to meet party screening deadline

Most KPUDs fail to meet party screening deadlineMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most Provincial General Elections Commissions (KPUDs) failed to meet Thursday's deadline to submit field verification reports to the General Election Commission (KPU), prompting the commission to announce...

Taufik prays for Hindu priest

Taufik prays for Hindu priest JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas expressed condolences for the death of Bali's highest Hindu priest Ida Pedanda Rsi Agung Penatih in Denpasar, Bali on Thursday.

Travelers influx still low, yet to reach its peak

Travelers influx still low, yet to reach its peakTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tias, 42, dragged his luggage, some bags and a few cardboard boxes, toward the front of the Senen railway station, East Jakarta.

Two mishaps stir quiet toll road

Two mishaps stir quiet toll road JAKARTA: Two traffic accidents took place almost simultaneously on the Jagorawi toll road on Thursday morning, but no fatalities were reported.The first accident took place at Kilometer 14.

JP/17/LALIN

JP/17/LALIN How messed up is Jakarta's traffic?Damar Harsanto The Jakarta Post JakartaPeople often assume that if traffic is congested less accidents will occur, as the slower flow of vehicles will restrain reckless drivers.

Education, another mean to eradicate corruption: Experts

Education, another mean to eradicate corruption: ExpertsDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Schools could help disseminate anti-corruption messages among students from an early age, an expert said on Thursday.

Old crime, new crisis

Old crime, new crisis Of all the human rights abuses committed under the authoritarian former Indonesian president Soeharto, why has one military massacre of Muslim civilians been singled out for accountability, almost two decades after the fact? The answer is as much entwined in the present day...

People return to Medan city

People return to Medan city MEDAN, North Sumatra: After two days celebrating Idul Fitri, people from rural areas here have begun to return to Medan, the capital of North Sumatra. Hundreds of people flooded bus terminals and railway stations in several regencies in North Sumatra province on...

Traffic violation charges/sentences under Law No.14/1992 on traffic

Traffic violation charges/sentences under Law No.14/1992 on traffic Violation Article Maximum Sentence imprisonment fine (months) (millions/Rp)1. Driving against designated traffic 54 3 32. Driving without registration (STNK) 57 (2) 2 23. Not carrying driver's license 59 (1) 6 24.

Students find ways to travel back home

Students find ways to travel back homeMarilin, The Jakarta Post, Depok The scarcity and high cost of bus and train tickets failed to deter university students in Depok from traveling to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri.

Japan, S.Korea among Asia's top seeds

Japan, S.Korea among Asia's top seeds TOKYO: Japan and South Korea, co-hosts of the 2002 World Cup, have been named among eight top seeds for the first round of Asian qualifiers for the 2006 finals in Germany, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said on Wednesday.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 28, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 28, 2003Exhibitions* Exhibition of antiquarian maps and prints of Indonesia form the 16th century to the present time, at Gedung Arsip Nasional (the National Archive Building), Jl. Gajah Mada 111, Central Jakarta, (Tel. 6347744), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec.

Govt delays implementation of new visa policy again

Govt delays implementation of new visa policy againMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has again postponed the implementation of the new policy revoking the visa-on-arrival facility extended to nationals of 48 countries, saying the President must consider opposition...

Police lay down the law to promote public discipline

Police lay down the law to promote public discipline In a last-ditch effort to address traffic problems in the city, the Jakarta Police Traffic Division recently launched a campaign to promote discipline among drivers.

Achieving

Achieving national discipline It is amazing that the problem of transition toward democracy, which has characterized Indonesian political development during the past five years, has recently triggered a hectic debate between scholars and commentators.

Early screening for KPK hopefuls

Early screening for KPK hopefuls JAKARTA: As many as 40 candidates for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) executive body are expected to undergo the third and last interview for the five seats in the commission on Saturday.

TV Today: Friday, November 28, 2003

TV Today: Friday, November 28, 2003 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:30 Music8:30 Comedy10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin11:00 Religious Teachings11:30 Singing Contest: Konteswara12:30 p.m.

Yogyakarta markets reopen

Yogyakarta markets reopen YOGYAKARTA: Several markets in Yogyakarta province reopened on Thursday, two days after the celebration of Idul Fitri, although they were not as busy as usual.A significant number of vegetable traders could be seen at work in Beringhardjo, Kranggan and Patuk markets in the...

Chronic garbage mess in Mampang

Chronic garbage mess in MampangFrom Koran TempoCitizens of Mampang Prapatan, particularly Tegal Parang subdistrict, South Jakarta, have been complaining about poor garbage handling in the area, which has remained unsolved despite all the reports to relevant authorities.

City of shopping centers

City of shopping centersFrom Warta Kota Shopping centers have recently sprung up in almost every corner of Jakarta. While the construction of all these new shopping centers has made it easier for residents to go shopping, it is regrettable that they have been built with little heed for the...

Over 40 Papuans held for flying separatist flags

Over 40 Papuans held for flying separatist flagsNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Police in the West Papuan town of Manokwari arrested 42 people on Thursday for raising an independence flag on the anniversary of one of the province's self-declared independence days.

Never let 'customer satisfaction' remain a mere slogan

Never let 'customer satisfaction' remain a mere sloganMahendra Gautama, Contributor, Jakarta It is generally agreed that a holiday that includes a pleasant traveling experience produces a positive effect.

1. PAPUA: 3 LINES, 16 COUNTS

1. PAPUA: 3 LINES, 16 COUNTS Over 40 Papuans arrested for flying independence flag 2. SALARY: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS Yusril's complaint over pay sparks fury 3. AIDS: 2 LINES, 27 COUNTS Thailand struggles to pay cost of HIV-AIDS impact 4. HOTELS: 1 LINES, 35 COUNTS No domestic help, better rent a room

LG Card needs capital to survive

LG Card needs capital to survive SEOUL: Standard and Poor's warned Thursday that LG Card, South Korea's largest credit card company, would require a capital injection much larger than a pledged one trillion won (US$832 million) to be kept afloat.Eight creditor banks have decided to extend a $1.

Visitors flock food courts, games centers

Visitors flock food courts, games centersM. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post Jakarta The prolonged Idul Fitri holiday and the absence of housemaids, who have returned to their hometowns, have made families to flock to malls in the capital to dine in and take children to the games centers available...

In tourism, excellent service is paramount

In tourism, excellent service is paramountAgus W. Soehadi, Contributor, Jakarta According to a report issued by the World Trade Organization in 2000, the tourism industry then was one of the fastest growing businesses in the world.

Muzzling press in Aceh shows wider clampdown

Muzzling press in Aceh shows wider clampdownTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The clampdown on reporting on Aceh is part of a broader pattern of silencing Indonesia's press, notes Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released late Wednesday.

Caption for two photos

Caption for two photosCONTRASTING SERVICE QUALITY: While the state-owned railway company, PT KAI, makes available a number of executive trains for longer routes in Java, some of its trains have yet to reach an acceptable standard of passenger convenience. One is depicted in the photo above.

Crowds pack malls, tourist resort

Crowds pack malls, tourist resort PEKANBARU, Riau: Two days after the celebration of Idul Fitri, shopping malls and recreation centers in Pekanbaru were still packed with holidaymakers.Thousands of people turned up on Thursday at Plaza Citra, Plaza Senapelan and Pekanbaru Mall in downtown Pekanbaru...

When there's a will ...

When there's a will ... We are German citizens, living in Indonesia. My husband is working in the field of education development with the German government. Our daughter is a medical student, who wanted to visit us for two weeks. Upon her arrival, I could not find her at Soekarno-Hatta airport.

Meeting folks at home makes up for 40-hour trip

Meeting folks at home makes up for 40-hour tripTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Bukittinggi, West Sumatra Syahrial, 21, did not feel like returning to his hometown near Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, this year.

In sobering lesson for Asia, Thailand struggles to care for AIDS

In sobering lesson for Asia, Thailand struggles to care for AIDS victims Sarah Stewart Agence France-Presse BangkokAs one of the first Asian nations to be hit with HIV-AIDS, Thailand is now struggling to bear the burden of caring for hundreds of thousands of dying victims and the families they...

Women migrant workers

Women migrant workersFrom Media Indonesia With great enthusiasm and hope, a number of Indonesian women -- married or single -- register themselves at workers recruitment agencies to work overseas and help feed their families.

City gears up to make more Jakartans homeless

City gears up to make more Jakartans homelessEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Just one day after the Idul Fitri holiday, when people ask each other for forgiveness, the Jakarta administration has been gearing up to turn more families homeless with its eviction plans.

Inmates mark Idul Fitri in solitary revelry

Inmates mark Idul Fitri in solitary revelryDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Idul Fitri is usually a time for family gatherings, but many inmates at Cipinang Penitentiary, East Jakarta, passed the day in solitary revelry.

Text message traffic soars during holiday

Text message traffic soars during holidaySari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The number of text messages sent in Indonesia soared by up to 500 percent over the Idul Fitri holidays."Our text message traffic was up to five times higher than the normal level.

House torched as owner travels

House torched as owner travels JAKARTA: A fire razed a house on Jl. Kejayaan Dalam No. 7, Krukut in Taman Sari district, West Jakarta, early on Thursday morning while its owner was away on holiday.Neighbors said the owner, Umar Ahmad, 50, was celebrating Idul Fitri out of town with all of his...

Freeport confirms new casualties

Freeport confirms new casualtiesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta American mining giant Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. has confirmed that two workers were killed on Saturday by deadly fumes at the Grasberg mine in Papua, which is owned by its subsidiary PT Freeport Indonesia (FI).

Leading Aceh rebel surrenders to military

Leading Aceh rebel surrenders to militaryTengku Agam Muzakir and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe/Medan A top Free Aceh Movement (GAM) figure has surrendered to the military authorities in West Aceh regency, the Indonesian Military (TNI) announced on Thursday.

Part 2 of 2: Will revision of regional autonomy law fail?

Part 2 of 2: Will revision of regional autonomy law fail? P. Agung Pambudhi, Executive Director, Monitoring Committee of Regional Autonomy Implementation (KPPOD), Jakarta Although the plan to revise the law on regional autonomy has often been publicly discussed, the public is yet to be adequately...

Officer says 'ecolabeling' will benefit local firms

Officer says 'ecolabeling' will benefit local firmsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is claiming that the planned national "ecolabeling" measures will help ensure that manufacturing and agricultural products are accepted by developed countries.

Visitors throng food courts and games centers at malls

Visitors throng food courts and games centers at mallsM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The prolonged Idul Fitri holiday and the absence of housemaids, who have returned to their hometowns, have made families to flock to malls in the capital to dine in and take children to the games...

Yusril's complaint over pay sparks fury

Yusril's complaint over pay sparks furyFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Activists were divided on Thursday over what should be the appropriate salary for state officials, including that for cabinet ministers, with some saying the current salary levels were adequate, with others...

No domestic help, better rent a room

No domestic help, better rent a roomEvi Mariani and Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hundreds, possibly thousands of families living in the metropolis whose housemaids joined the Idul Fitri exodus, spent their holiday in upmarket hotels throughout Jakarta, avoiding daily household...

Villagers of Talago pray desolate 'Ied'

Villagers of Talago pray desolate 'Ied' As the merry mood of the awaited first day of Idul Fitri celebrations turned almost every corner of this predominantly Muslim country into spots of celebrations, the remote hamlet of Talago at the foot of Mount Singgalang in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, stood...

Military Command discharges 38 soldiers for crimes, desertion

Military Command discharges 38 soldiers for crimes, desertionYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara A military command here has dishonorably discharged 38 soldiers for desertion, various crimes and moral violations, an Army officer said in the East Nusa Tenggara capital of...

Bekasi police office robbed

Bekasi police office robbed BEKASI: A police office in Bekasi was robbed on Wednesday evening when there was no one around, resulting in the loss of several documents and Rp 7 million (US$823) in cash from a safe.